Lip Augmentation
in Indianapolis
SMAS TO LIPS
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Lip Rejuvenation
Procedure at a Glance:
Indications: For patients who are also having a minilift or lower facelift procedure that have thinning and reduced definition to their lips as a result of aging. This a permanent volume replacement to the lips that uses the patient’s own (SMAS) tissue taken at the time of the lift procedure to use as a natural lip enhancement. This helps to restore the definition to the lip and the cupid’s bow, while enhancing three dimensional volume and decreasing lipstick lines. This is a great alternative to the results of unnatural lip implants and can be more cost-effective long term than injectable fillers to the lips.
Anesthesia: IV Twilight Sedation in conjunction with a minilift or lower facelift procedure
Surgery Type: Outpatient
Downtime: One week with restrictions on exercise and lifting anything heavier than 5lbs. Patient may have slight swelling or bruising. Patients will still need to adhere to certain post-surgical instructions that will be specific to the procedure. Limitations will be discussed during a thorough pre-operative appointment.
Stitch Removal: Stitches are dissolvable
Techniques: During a minilift or lower facelift procedure, the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaperneurotic System) layer of tissue that is addressed during a deep plane lift is elevated into a more youthful position, and the excess is trimmed away. This excess tissue makes an ideal natural lip enhancement using your own tissue. A small stab incision is made bilaterally into the mucosa on the inside of the top and bottom lip. This will turn the clock back on the patient’s lips in tandem with the rejuvenation of having a lift procedure.
BEFORE + AFTER
Real patients, real results! Check out our before and after photo gallery and witness the transformation of surgical and non-surgical patients!
FAQ’s
Have a specific question? Contact us!
That depends on your goals and desires. In general, the cost is less to combine the procedures and you only undergo one recovery period, instead of several. On the downside, it may take a bit longer to heal (longer anesthetic, multiple procedures).
Changes made to the tissues are permanent. However, your face will continue to age. Many patients will need a touch up after about 10 years, depending on genetics and the care they provide to their skin and body.
Again, it depends on the procedure. Patients may experience a headache after a trichophytic browlift. Some discomfort and dryness after eyelid surgery is expected, and the swelling of the eyelids may impair visual fields for a day or two. A facelift is uncomfortable for the first 24 to 48 hours, after which most patients are surprised by the lack of pain. Rhinoplasty patients typically don’t experience a lot of pain but they do experience nasal stuffiness and cannot blow their nose following surgery which is the biggest post surgical complaint. Regardless of procedure, pain will be controlled with narcotics until it is manageable with Tylenol. Pain is a unique sensation, and no two people will perceive it the same.
A scar is always a resulting factor of having surgery. However, incisions made at the hands of a facial plastic surgeon are made as discreetly as possible. Scars are placed so they are well camouflaged and very difficult to see. Any scar will be pink/ red during the healing period (generally 6-12 months) and after that are generally imperceptible.
Depending on the type of procedure, recovery is generally 7-10 days. Most patients can resume work after 1 to 2 weeks. Regular physical exercise may be slowly resumed after 7-10 days. Makeup can be used to help camouflage the areas that are bruised after one week. Social activities can be resumed after 3 to 4 weeks.
There is no perfect age for a facelift. The younger the patient, the better the results last and the less dissection is needed. In general, younger patients heal faster, better and have better results. We treat patients with the very beginning signs of aging to the more severe signs of aging and everything in between. The most important factor is the patient’s overall health in pursuing elective surgery no matter their age.
Absolutely. The incision is often contoured differently for a man, but the ability to tighten the jaw line and the skin under the chin are no different. In fact, this is one of the fastest growing populations seeking cosmetic refinements!
There are many non-surgical options on the market, such as injectable fillers, Botox, non surgical fat removal and laser skin tightening. In general, nothing but a facelift accomplishes a facelift. Most non- surgical options are excellent adjuncts for, but not replacements of, surgical procedures.
